SJND News

Education: B.A. San Francisco State UniversityProfession: Sports Journalist
Ray began his career as a journalist by working for the San Francisco Chronicle and the San Francisco Examiner. He joined NBC Sports in 2010 as a Senior Insider for CSNBayArea.com and CSNCalifornia.com. He also contributes to programs such as Sportsnet Central and Yahoo! Sportstalk Live. Ray is regarded as one of the nation’s premier sports journalists.

This year marks the 27th anniversary of a tournament that has showcased some of the Bay Area’s finest basketball over the past few decades, featuring players such as Calvin Byrd, J.R. Rider, Jason Kidd, Ray Young, Justin Davis, Alex Harris, Antonio Kellogg and Damian Lillard, just to name a few. In the beginning, The Island Classic was started by legendary SJND coach, the late Frank LaPorte. The tournament started as a four-team showcase that featured the three high schools on the island, and another marquee program was invited to round out the foursome. Every year a new team was invited.

Over the years the “showcase” became so popular that in 2012 the SJND Athletic Department decided to make it an eight-team tournament. The Inaugural Tournament Champion was Montgomery High School of Santa Rosa. Subsequent champions were SJND (2013), Stuart Hall (2014), SJND (2015). This year the Island Classic is back in its original format as a four team showcase. We are excited to welcome Lincoln (S.F.), The Urban School and Modesto Christian.

Coach LaPorte named the tournament after a close friend and SJND supporter, Mr. George Chaix. After Coach Laporte passed in 1997, his name was added in honor of his dedication to the SJND Basketball family. The tournament is now called the Frank LaPorte & George Chaix Island Classic.